Aston Martin has confirmed plans to build an all electric version of the Rapide sedan, which should arrive sometime around 2017. Andy Palmer, Aston Martin’s CEO confirmed the plans last weekend at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
The news isn’t too surprising, since Aston Martin hinted at an electric vehicle earlier this year and even showed off the electric DBX concept at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The move to introduce new electric vehicles will help Aston Martin comply with tighter fuel economy standards. Palmer also stated that Aston Martin sees an opportunity to offer an electric sedan that would be priced higher than the Tesla Model S.

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“What Tesla clearly shows you is we haven’t hit the ceiling in terms of price,” Palmer said to Automotive News. “But I think it’s hard, though not impossible, for them as a relatively new brand to keep pushing up and to go into that super premier area.”

Aston Martin is still working out the specs for the all electric Rapide, but Palmer said that the four-wheel-drive EV will have around 800 horsepower and a driving range of 200 miles. Following the debut of the Rapide EV, Aston Martin will release a production version of the DBX in 2019 that will arrive initially as a plug-in hybrid. Gas and pure electric versions of the DBX are also planned.

Source: Automotive News